Canon has just announced the first major upgrade to their Canon 5D Mark IV. This paid upgrade will set you back about $99 (€99), but promises to give the camera a new life when it comes to video production.
The paid upgrade unlocks Canon Canon Log for the 5D Mark IV
Back when I tested the camera in August 2016 (see my original review and article here), I came up with a list of Pros and Cons related to the camera. My list proved to be identical to what others in our global filming community were thinking and, based on this global feedback, I’m happy to report that Canon has listened and decided to implement a C-LOG picture profile. While this upgrade might not fulfil everybody’s wish list, it is certainly a good move in the right direction, one that raises hopes that Canon may have decided to re-join the healthy DSLR/Mirrorless competition and support independent filmmakers with flexible creative tools. Although, while on this subject: Canon, please give us the ability to record 4K in full-frame mode and also send a 4K signal via HDMI to an external recorder.
As a side note, one immediate question remains: What about the Canon 1D X Mark II? Will this fine camera also be treated soon? Unfortunately, we have no news regarding this matter for now.
Why Shoot in a Log Picture Profile?
Shooting with a Log picture profile brings some benefits to filmmakers who want the most amount of information to work with. This specific Canon Log picture profile is identical to the one found on the Canon 1D C, and was specifically designed to work best with 8-bit colour sampling information. Needless to say, for filmmakers who use other Canon cameras on set, the main benefit will be the ease of camera matching while filming and colour grading during post production.
About the Canon 5D Mark IV Upgrade
Mind you, in order to take advantage of this new upgrade, you will have to send your beloved camera in to a Canon service center, so don’t look for a firmware download link. Once you get your Canon 5D Mark IV back, you will find in you can now navigate and activate Canon Log in the menu. According to Canon, for best results use ISO 400 in order to achieve the claimed 12 stops of dynamic range. In addition – and for those who feel uncomfortable working with a flat, low contrast image with subdued sharpness – Canon is now offering the possibility to use a “view assist” to look at the full range of the image.
Availability
The paid upgrade will be available as of June. It is yet to be seen if the new Canon 5D Mark IV cameras with the upgrade already installed, and if so, if those cameras will be 99 Euro more expensive.
Do you work with the Canon 5D Mark IV? If so, will you be sending your camera in for an upgrade? If you don’t have the camera, will you be considering buying it now that Canon Log has been implemented?